Roberto Mancini’s team, now 13/10 with bookmaker to win the Premier League title, lost 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium while Manchester United, 4/7 to retain their crown, were beating West Brom 2-0 to move to the top of the table.
City are without a game this weekend and could be four points behind Sir Alex Ferguson’s men by the time they resume league action in a rescheduled home encounter with Chelsea.
However, England international Richards insists: “We just have to focus on what we want to do. Chelsea is the next game and we know that will be tough. But it is at home where we are strong. We’ve got strengths and it’s a game that we have to win now.”